So I just signed up for my 2nd century ride. It's not till August, but I'm starting to map out the outline of a training schedule.
Last time I really just concentrated on just making it. I didn't have a goal other than crossing the finish line.
This time I want to finish faster than last (7h20m in saddle), so I've been reading up on interval training. (Something I've not done on a bike.)
Everything I'm reading talks about percentages of maximum heart rates. I've never really thought of myself as someone serious enough about cycling to need a HR monitor, but this has gotten me thinking if I should invest in one or not.
So I'll throw this out there, is this something that is actually useful in this case or would I better off just cycling and not worrying about it? (Keep in mind that this year, even with perfect training, I doubt I would be finishing above the 50% percentile. My goal is just to beat my in-saddle time.)
Depends on how well you can listen to your body. I'm sure having an HR monitor would be helpful, but I think you could achieve your goal without keeping an eye on a doo-dad on your handlebar.
I reckon doing hill work might be more useful than intervals (which can be difficult to do on open roads). Probably more useful to your ride, too, assuming you aren't doing a century in Florida.
IANAC, though, so maybe Mayhew will chime in.
I find heart rate monitors almost useless for intervals -- especially anything shorter than ~20 minutes. However, they are pretty good for long-distance solo events, making sure your heart rate doesn't get too high for too long. (If it does, you'll burn through your glycogen stores and bonk.)
@johnwheffner that's a good point. Last year I did all my training solo. Not a problem then, but I'll be pushing harder this year.
@myddrin: I used an HR monitor when I started doing distance riding, but merely to keep my HR under the theoretic 90% max mark on the long rides themselves.
After three or four century+ rides, I found that the monitor was no longer telling me anything I didn't already know.
So, I'd say it won't hurt for general monitoring, but it was not staggeringly useful in my experience. It does give you something to stare at whilst grinding up a long hill, but that's about it.
I think the cool kids are pushing RPE as a better metric of effort anyway.
@myddrin: I used an HR monitor when I started doing distance riding, but merely to keep my HR under the theoretic 90% max mark on the long rides themselves.
After three or four century+ rides, I found that the monitor was no longer telling me anything I didn't already know.
So, I'd say it won't hurt for general monitoring, but it was not staggeringly useful in my experience. It does give you something to stare at whilst grinding up a long hill, but that's about it.
I think the cool kids are pushing RPE as a better metric of effort anyway.
[Huh...post getting swallowed, maybe by anti-spam engine? Let's try again]
@myddrin: I used an HR monitor when I started doing distance riding, but merely to keep my HR under the theoretic 90% max mark on the long rides themselves.
After three or four century+ rides, I found that the monitor was no longer telling me anything I didn't already know.
So, I'd say it won't hurt for general monitoring, but it was not staggeringly useful in my experience. It does give you something to stare at whilst grinding up a long hill, but that's about it.
I think the cool kids are pushing RPE as a better metric of effort anyway.
Q: How to know when you need more gadgets on your bike?
A: You don't.
I belong to the Bike Gadget Club.
The First Rule of the BGC is: If you're not sure that you need more gadgets, then you need more gadgets.
The Second Rule of the BGC ... nevermind.
I got an HRM about 5 months ago and think its great. I find it's the best way to help me monitor my work out. Some days you feel like dogging it, some days you feel like superman. With an HRM you get instant feedback about how hard you are working and can adjust appropriately.
I have an HRM/Wrist Watch. Mine is the Timex Ironman Race Trainer kit, I have been pretty happy with it. Although I never setup the software to download my workout and analyze the,.
Make sure you get an HRM with replaceable batteries. Some units have the battery build in and you need to send it back to the maker to change out the power source.
Thanks all. I am doing the Couch 2 5K with my fiancee, and we are starting out on treadmills with builtin HRMs.
Following @reddan's advice, I tried to guess what my heart rate was periodically. It appears that I'm just awful right now at correlating how I feel w/ my HR. At one point I looked down, thinking that I must be 140 or nope... 160. Another I thought I must be 120... nope 80.
So I'm starting to think it might not be a bad idea.
